Australian Championships - Preview: Women’s Middle Distance

87th Australian Track and Field Championships - 19th - 21st March 2009

Please find below my review of the women’s middle distance events (800m to 3000m)

Women’s 800m

World Championship qualifying standard: 2.00.00 (A standard), 2.01.30 (B standard)

Records

2008 Australian Championships finalists

1. Tamsyn Lewis (VIC) 2:02.12, 2. Madeleine Pape (VIS) 2:03.52, 3. Rikke Albertsen (ACT) 2:03.91, 4. Trychelle Kingdom (NSW) 2:06.68, 5. Holly Noack (SA) 2:07.43, 6. Lara Nicod (NSW) 2:07.97, 7. Brooke Simpson (NSWIS)2:08.34, 8. Satomi Kubokura (JPN) 2:10.19.

Preview: There will be no Tamsyn Lewis this year (although she is on the start list), so the door opens for Madeleine Pape to take the status as Australian Champion. Pape has been in good form so far in 2009, with an Australian leading time of 2.02.41 recorded at the Sydney Track Classic. The interesting questions will be - can Pape run the tough “A” qualifier of 2.00.00 and who will run second to her (and in what sort of time)? If Kaila McKnight does complete the 800m/1500m double then she is more than capable of picking up the silver medal, although Holly Noack and Katherine Katsanavakis look to also have claims. McKnight has been the revelation of 2009, and now has a 2.04.52 PB for the 800m. On the other hand Noack has always showed promise, and will be looking at getting close to her PB of 2.03.58. The interesting runner is Erica Fountain (married to Mark Fountain), who has come back from the United States to compete. Erica has a lifetime PB of 2.02.97 which was set at the 2006 Australian Championships. Also watch out for the youngsters in the field, Selma Kajan and Bronte Gange (who has already achieved a World Youth Qualifier in 2009).

Women’s 1500m

World Championship qualifying standard: 4.06.00 (A standard), 4.09.00 (B standard)

Records

2008 Australian Championships finalists

1. Veronique Molan (NSW) 4:20.85, 2. Nikki Hamblin (NZL) 4:21.04, 3. Georgina Clarke (VIS) 4:21.55, 4. Lisa Corrigan (ACT) 4:22.05, 5. Chloe Tighe (NSW) 4:22.09, 6. Kaila McKnight (VIC) 4:22.88, 7. Bridey Delaney (NSW) 4:23.54, 8. Melissa Duncan (VIC) 4:25.06, 9. Rini Budiarti (INA) 4:31.46, 10. Sarah Klein (VIC) 4:38.15.

Preview: This race should be a race in two; Sarah Jamieson versus Lisa Corrigan, but something suggests that it isn’t quite that simple. With the race likely to be run at a fairly strong tempo, Jamieson should have the class edge over her rivals, although this is unlikely to be the case with Corrigan. There is no doubt that Corrigan needs to improve on her effort at the Melbourne World Athletics Tour event last week and if she doesn’t then don’t be shocked to see McKnight take the silver medal. McKnight has already lowered her PB to 4.11.83 and the 22 year-old hasn’t finished with lowering her PB even further. The other two athletes to watch will be Bridey Delaney and Nikki Molan, both breaking their PB’s in Melbourne, 4.14.83 and 4.16.26 respectively. Nikki Hamblin (GBR) could also be there at the finish (PB - 4.12.50).

Women’s 3000m

As with the men it is difficult to preview this event with only four entrants (as at 12/03). Narelle Coady and Lauren McKillop will look to fight it out for the win, although Jamieson could easily do the 1500m/3000m double if she decided to be a late entrant for the 3000m.